Randomized Controlled Trial in Postoperative Pain Between Plasma Knife-assisted Versus Traditional Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in Sleep-disordered Breathing Patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare postoperative pain between plasma knife-assisted and traditional uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) in sleep-disordered breathing patients. METHODS: This was a prospective randomized controlled study. Patients who were scheduled to undergo UPPP was eligible this study. Those who had previous palatal operations due to sleep-disordered breathing, had coagulation disorder, were under long-term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs therapy, or were reluctant to participate were excluded. All patients signed inform consents. Patients were then randomly assigned to receive plasma knife-assisted (study group) or traditional UPPP (control group). Basic demographic data along with polysomnography results, operation-related variables, postoperative pain, analgesic usage, and diet intake status were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 19 patients were included in the final analyses, with 9 patients in the study group and 10 patients in the control group. No significant differences were found between the two groups in age, gender, polysomnography results, peri-operative bleeding, hospitalization duration, postoperative pain status. However, the study group had shorter operation duration and a lower amount of analgesics usage. In addition, the study group also returned to normal diet earlier. CONCLUSIONS: The use of plasma knife shortened the operation duration and reduced the amount of analgesics needed after UPPP.